“Every idiot who goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding,” says Scrooge. Mean old Scrooge despises Christmas, until Christmas Eve, when a haunted voice from the past changes his life––overnight!

Many know the story, but few have experienced the marvel of the book. If you are one who has never read this family classic, this is the time to do so. Listen to our unabridged recording and make this a truly Charles Dickens Christmas. And, “God bless us, everyone!”

Download and start listening now!

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Quotes & Awards

“A tale to make the reader laugh and cry—to open his hands, and open his heart to charity even toward the uncharitable...a dainty dish to set before a King.”

Athenaeum

“If Christmas, with its ancient and hospitable customs, its social and charitable observances, were ever in danger of decay, this is the book that would give them a new lease. The very name of the author predisposes one to the kindlier feelings.”

Thomas Hood, poet

“There can never be too many audio editions of certain novels, and this popular, much-loved perennial attests to that…This audiobook distinguishes itself by offering the unabridged novel rather than a dramatic made-for-radio adaptation or a selection of excerpts. Still short and sweet, with a great deal more Dickensian tongue-in-cheek humor than comes across in movie versions, this audiobook is a treat. In a written introduction to his novel, Dickens makes it clear that he intended his tale to be uplifting rather than scary. Prebble’s multi-voiced narration reflects the author’s purpose. His ghosts sound more instructive than haunting. His Scrooge is more tentative than terrified. But your favorite scenes will still grab you, and Scrooge’s transition from a miserable skinflint to a lighthearted lover of life is portrayed convincingly.”

Kliatt

“It is the detail and the vigor of Charles Dickens’s writing that brings Scrooge to life…one of the most miraculous of all Dickens’s creations—a character one never tires of who, in this short but potent story, never outstays his welcome.”

Telegraph (London)

Listener Opinions

dsneen | 9/9/2016

" Loved it , very well done. I wd listen to it again to get even more out of it. "

Boston | 2/18/2014

" I have never read the book, but obviously I knew the story. Very well written, great language, and good life lessons. "

Patrick Gelsana | 2/9/2014

" A Christmas Carol taught me to never act forgetful, ignorant, grumpy, and negative during the month of December when Christmas is just ahead and it commemorates the day of fun, laughter, happiness, and giving/showing love to the people you care about especially when it concerns your family and your friends. It's a perfect book to read during the month of December and surely, you will learn something from it whether good or bad. :) "

Kelly Watt | 2/7/2014

" I read this so long ago, it's probably due another look. I always enjoy Dickens, but I've read, seen and heard so many different adaptations of "A Christmas Carol" that I can't really remember how much I enjoyed this particular one. "

Lys | 2/1/2014

" I loved reading this story finally. There are quite a lot of humorous lines that you could never get in the movies. Referring to an annotated version helped to explain a few of the passages that I didn't understand. I found the whole book fascinating. "

Brett | 1/26/2014

" This book is so very much better than any of the huge proliferation of adaptations I've ever seen! Very much worth a read!! "

Graham | 1/19/2014

" I read through this in 09. Every year since then I'm like "Oh yeah, gotta read this for Christmas!" Then I start and I'm like "Screw this I'm bored, where's Larry Correia." "

Melissa | 1/18/2014

" This was so fun to read aloud to my students! The lyrical, rhythmic writing made an old story feel new :) "

Tania | 1/13/2014

" A short book, very familiar as the various film renditions are fairly true to the book. Dickens has lots of strange and funny analogies and asides. "

Jason | 1/11/2014

" A compelling take on life and the human experience. I would highly recommend this book to anyone. "

Jo-anne | 1/7/2014

" A beautifully dark tale. I so very enjoyed reading this. "

Alex Maclean | 12/29/2013

" I can't believe I haven't read this timeless classic before now, even after seeing most of the movie versions out there. A definite masterpiece. "

David Bosworth | 12/26/2013

" fantastic Christmas story. the best ever in my opinion. dickens was a genius. "

Kristy | 12/19/2013

" "Mankind should have been my business..." This book changed the way I looked at Christmas. "

Yves | 12/12/2013

" This is still my favourite Christmas story. Everybody should read it at least once. "

Lucy | 12/2/2013

" I've always liked this story. It's a bit silly, but really quite cute. And, of course, a classic. Dickens' writing is rather amusing in that the English is a bit dated, and it's sometimes evident that he got paid per word. Nonetheless, I like it. "

Shawn | 11/30/2013

" Always a good re-read at Christmas. "

Tori | 11/27/2013

" A wonderfully classic Christmas tale. I'm glad to have finally read the original version instead of the watered-down ones for children. "

Matt Norris | 11/3/2013

" You can tell Dickens got paid by the word. "

Ashrakat Deyab | 10/7/2013

" Inspirational. Insightful. Entertaining. Even though I'm not a Christian, the themes and messages in this novella are so universal that anyone of any ethnic background or religion can enjoy it. Recommended for anyone ready for a life-changing story. "

Holli | 9/11/2013

" Finally made a point to read this Christmas classic. Although familiar with the story, reading the original was a treat. The language used, the descriptions, the story itself is wonderful. We read it as a family and it was enjoyed by all. "

Dawna | 8/31/2013

" Always like reading Dickens. It's been a long time since my first reading of this one. It was fun to listen to again. Received Jacob T. Marley this year as a gift, so after reading it I was inspired to read A Christmas Carol. "

Tracee | 8/22/2013

" A good story any time of the year. "

Teryl | 7/15/2013

" One of the all time greatest classics! "

Yvonne Perkins | 7/10/2013

" I enjoyed this as much as I did when I last read it as a teenager. I didn't manage to finish reading it aloud to others in the family because too much was going on. Perhaps another Christmas I'll manage to do it. "

Poppy | 7/6/2013

" Dickens outdoes himself with this fanciful tale of a life turned around. His language is poetic and lyrical, vivid and classically middle English. What a wonderful story! "

Rachael | 6/21/2013

" I decided to read this book after watching the movie adaption. Very good, warms the heart! "

Craciun Cristina | 5/16/2013

" I would read it again and again, this book is purely amazing. It's the perfect book to read during the winter holidays. "

Sarah Quhtani | 4/8/2013

" Great idea and great resolution! I'm sure if I'd have read it at a different time, I'd rate it at least 4 stars! "

Martin | 4/4/2013

" The main story was great but the two short stories that followed it weren't. This was the first Dickens I've read. It put me off a bit but I'll try another. "

Phillip Lemons | 2/8/2013

" This has been a favorite from the first time I heard the story as a kid. As an adult, this story has reminded me of the true heart and meaning of Christmas when I get grouchy at the focus on consumerism and getting that often is on display at Christmas time. "

" Also had to read this for GCSE English. This one however I found incredibly mundane and boring. Call me scrooge but whatever. There's too many A Christmas Carol stories around and it annoys me. "

Kathy | 10/31/2012

" Read it for the first time this past December. Every year, we watch the 1962 film, but neither one of us has ever read it. I was surprised at how short it was. It's an excellent book. "

Jon De | 10/15/2012

" Just Finished this on audio book lol. Really good. "

Kacey | 9/9/2012

" I read it every year ! "

Debora Baird | 6/29/2012

" What's not to like? I'm amazed how much the Muppets stuck to the book. I really enjoyed it. "

Gail | 6/2/2012

" I've tried to read this book a few times, but Charles Dickens is NOT an easy man to read! He goes off on tangents like nobodies business! I have to wonder if he had some ADD going on.... ;) "

Tracy | 1/19/2012

" how can you not love it? "

Marcus M. | 1/5/2012

" The best short story to read coming-up to Christmas time. Christmas as we know it today probably wouldn't exist if it weren't for the influence of this book. "

Emily Green | 11/28/2011

" I read this book every Christmas. I love the descriptive words that Dickens uses to make you connect with the scene and with the characters. Love it! "

Dibya Pal | 11/13/2011

" A great story that can be related to our day to day life and the deamd of inner conscience in today's contemporary world. "

Kfalor | 11/4/2011

" Whenever I feel overwhelmed by the Christmas season and the pressures that come with it, I reread Christmas Carol to re-set myself to what the season is really about. With Dickens, character is king and you meet such wonderful characters. "

" It was a fun read for the holiday. I had seen the movies (the Muppet's version one of my favorites), but had never read the book. It was a delightful read that should be done by the fireplace with some tea and cookies :) "

Spring | 6/28/2011

" A must have! I marveled at the descriptive skills of Charles Dickens.a great read.
"

Ruthy | 6/25/2011

" I've always wanted to read the real version of this story and because I've grown hearing it every Christmas, I never bothered to actually read it. There was nothing new to add but yet, I still enjoyed it.
"

Dodokins | 6/24/2011

" And every christmas, I ask myself what will I see when the spirits come?
"

Philip | 6/23/2011

" Ebeneezer Scrooge - one of the best realised characters in literature :-)
"

Zohaib | 6/23/2011

" This is a good book as good as the film perhaps even better
:)
"

Heath | 6/21/2011

" You can't go wrong with Dickens. This is a classic that everyone should read.
"

Cissi "Invisible but Invincible" | 6/20/2011

" One of my favorites. Can't wait to see my old school perform the play next year! So exciting! :)
"

Caryl | 6/19/2011

" I finally read the book, and loved it! If you like the classic tale, the book is a fun read. The TV and film versions I've seen all have many direct quotes from Dickens.
"

Steven | 6/14/2011

" Just delightful. Dickens is only surpassed by Disney.
"

Amy | 6/13/2011

" Performed as a readers' theater in high school
"

Hannah | 6/9/2011

" I think that this book was very vivid and creative because it has a moral within itself. It teaches you to be generous and kind to others, rather than be a selfish, greedy person that everybody will hate. This book is truly wonderful, almost like a classic within itself. Highly recommended.
"

Rondell | 6/8/2011

" it was a pleasure reading this book because i think the guy at the end of all his trials learn that you cant be selfish ,greedy and mean all his life and he learn that being unselifish anf creshirish it for the best .

p.s i spelled a word wrong correct me...
"

Margo | 6/5/2011

" I loved reading the original story because I have seen so many film versions of the Dickens classic. Dickens' writing style is well-crafted and entertaining as well. I found myself laughing at some of the side comments Dickens makes.
"

Other Titles by Charles Dickens:

About the Author

Charles Dickens (1812–1870) was born in Landport, Portsmouth, England, the second of eight children in a family continually plagued by debt. A legacy brought release from the nightmare of debtors’ prison and child labor and afforded him a few years of formal schooling. He worked as an attorney’s clerk and newspaper reporter until his early writings brought him the amazing success that was to be his for the remainder of his life. He was the most popular English novelist of the Victorian era, and he remains popular, responsible for some of English literature’s most iconic characters.

About the Narrator

Simon Prebble, a British-born performer, is a stage and television actor and veteran narrator of some three hundred audiobooks. As one of AudioFile’s Golden Voices, he has received thirty-seven Earphones Awards and won the prestigious Audie in 2010. He lives in New York.

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